Thursday, April 21, 2011

My First Reroot Turned Out Green!

Two weeks ago, when I was looking for some hair care products, I noticed that they had a table with wigs (most of which were made from human hair) for $1 each.  I almost walked out without buying, but quickly turned around and bought 6 of them.  One of them was a tight curly wig.

I loved the variations in color.

This was actually perfect, because I am on a mission to use all of the tools I have bought over the years, that are just gathering dust. Since I had the hair, I decided to start with my reroot tool.


This is a reroot tool. There are other kinds. I got this one from my hairdresser about 8 yrs ago. It was tucked away nicely, waiting for me to do something with it.

So two days ago, I gathered my hair, my tool, and a doll, whose hair had been whacked off 8 yrs ago, when I first thought about doing a reroot, and apparently changed my mind, because it never happened.

I had to completely remove every piece of hair before beginning the reroot.  I cut the hair as close as possible to the scalp, removed the head from the body, and used tweezers inside the head to remove the remaining hair.


After about 5 hrs of rooting, and more than 24 hrs of letting the glue inside the head dry, this is the finished product. I am not sure why it looks so green. LOL! I realize now that I should have used more of the dark brown hair and less of the gold. Lesson learned. I did the reroot in one sitting because I was afraid that I would lose the tool.  At least this way, the head would be done.

So here she is, green hair and all, after I cut it.

I need to do some more cutting. It's looking a little lopsided from the back.


So, all in all, I am happy with the results. It took me 8 years to start, but only 5 hrs to finish.  Imagine all the heads I could have done by now.  I have my eye on a few of my kids that could use some new 'dos.

After I put the head back on the body, I noticed that this doll has a rubber tummy area.  Her stomach almost looks real.  I have no idea which doll this is. Back then I wasn't swapping bodies like I am now, so this head and body are original.  I am sure that someone will be able to enlighten me.



When positioned just right, she actually has little belly rolls. Of course it wouldn't cooperate for picture taking.

UPDATE: Someone just informed me that this is a Jewel Girl Barbie (2000). Here is the commercial for them.  Jewel Girl Barbie

14 comments:

  1. I really like how she turned out! The cut looks really cute on her too. I think you gave her a lot of personality. To me, she looks like she'd be a great addition to your single ladies group. She reminds me of a friend who loves to go clubbin'. LOL.

    Great job on the reroot...and in just 5hrs!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Tracy - She does look like a clubber. However, she will not be joining any groups anytime soon. She will be sitting on top of one of my shelves. I have so many other single ladies, with articulation. I have no desire to rebody her. I want her to continue to enjoy her beautiful realistic midriff she has.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I know what you mean. I'm hooked on articulation. I've placed my story on hold because I need to get a few more new bodies for a couple of ladies. :)

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  4. Tres chic! It was very helpful to know how you removed all the hair from the head. The re-root tool looks sort of like a seam ripper.

    ReplyDelete
  5. limbe dolls - On the end of the reroot tool is a hook with a metal flap (for lack of a better term). You put the hair around the hook, then close the flap, and push it through the doll's scalp. The tricky part is keeping the flap closed.

    ReplyDelete
  6. You did a great job! I've rooted a few heads in my day... back in the day. I used felting needles and a tool that I purchased from PrillyCharmin.com, which worked well for larger dolls. I have not tried re-rooting a 1/6 scale doll.

    dbg

    ReplyDelete
  7. DBG - Thanks. I started at the back and worked my way to the front. By the time I got to the front, where there were lots of holes, I was tired. I perservered, though. Next time I might start at the front and get the hard part out of the way. Thanks for the PrillyCharmin link. That is my first time going there. They have some tools I wouldn't mind buying. There I go again with the tools.

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  8. I am so with you. I tried my first re-root based on a tutorial that said you can take a common sewing needle, whack the end of the loop off with some wire cutters (do it at an angle) stick the needle end into a pencil eraser and GO. I actually did some - but stopped after about ten holes bc I wasn't totally serious - I am still playing around with making dreadlocks -which I am getting much closer on as well. I am very jealous of those one dollar wigs!

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  9. playbarbies - hmmm, that needle method sounds a little challening. I also have a microroot tool that I bought when I thought I was going to do some reborning, just for me. I hope to use that tool one day. I can't wait to do another reroot. There are just so many things you can do once you master the technique. I would love to get an easier tool to work with. Those wigs were quite the bargain!

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  10. Hey what was the hairdresser using the tool for? I have thought about rerooting of of my dolls for a long time have not worked myself up to it. Congrats! Your doll looks good!

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  11. Ms. Leo - Thanks. I can't remember what my hairdresser was doing with the tool. I am glad that I finally did it. It took me a long time to move forward too. Now I feel empowered. You should go for it!

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  12. Now I know a little about hair, But not as much as I'd like. I have some with the frizzy stuff and don't know how to tame it! Thanks for this much. You are very creative and good at this Vanessa. Luv

    ReplyDelete
  13. Loretta - Thanks. I am just an adventurous person willing to try just about anything. I have always had a "figure it out" mentality.

    ReplyDelete
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